A cluster randomized-controlled trial of a community mobilization intervention to change gender norms and reduce HIV risk in rural South Africa: study design and intervention

BMC Public Health. 2015 Aug 6:15:752. doi: 10.1186/s12889-015-2048-z.

Abstract

Background: Community mobilization (CM) interventions show promise in changing gender norms and preventing HIV, but few have been based on a defined mobilization model or rigorously evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to describe the intervention design and implementation and present baseline findings of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of a two-year, theory-based CM intervention that aimed to change gender norms and reduce HIV risk in rural Mpumalanga province, South Africa.

Methods: Community Mobilizers and volunteer Community Action Teams (CATs) implemented two-day workshops, a range of outreach activities, and leadership engagement meetings. All activities were mapped onto six theorized mobilization domains. The intervention is being evaluated by a randomized design in 22 communities (11 receive intervention). Cross-sectional, population-based surveys were conducted with approximately 1,200 adults ages 18-35 years at baseline and endline about two years later.

Conclusions: This is among the first community RCTs to evaluate a gender transformative intervention to change norms and HIV risk using a theory-based, defined mobilization model, which should increase the potential for impact on desired outcomes and be useful for future scale-up if proven effective.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02129530.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Community Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Community Networks / organization & administration*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Gender Identity
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Research Design
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • South Africa / epidemiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02129530